Admissions with Low GPA

Monisha in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I have a 2.5 gpa and I really want to get into pa school. Im trying to stay in school for an extra semester inorder to take the pre-reqs I need and to retake some classes. I had a few bad sems due to health related issues and now im still struggling but I dont want to graduate and not have anything to do. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good programs or just programs that I would get into( im so willing to relocate at this point). Pleas someone give me some advice.

Monisha, try University of Maryland, Eastern Shore...I am going to apply there also, my gpa is lower than yours...chin up. I think their gpa limit is 2.0.....I barely make it in that bracket! website is www.umes.edugood luck!
btw, it is a bachelor program

Ally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I am a sophomore Bio major who plans on becoming a PA, and i didn't take my freshman year too seriously I have an F on my transcript in Bio 2 I took it this summer an got a B. I average a B for my average grades will that not get me into school? should i just switch majors now?

Ally I had poor grades my freshman year and my overall GPA suffered a lot. But its important to stress your science classes! getting good grades in you science courses will overwhelmingly help when applying for PA.
As for switching majors... if your school has a PA program GET IN IT! If not the bio major usually includes all the prereq that many PA programs have. So it wouldnt be bad to stay in it and study harder!

Hey im also in Michigan! I have a 3.18 G.P.A and I'm struggling to keep it up. I work as certified nurse aide, volunteer and job shadow like crazy! I would like to stay in Michigan but is that enough to get in? Eric, I'm pretty sure you prior experience should be enough just get some good letters of recommendation!

According to CASPA my science GPA is 3.14 and cumulative GPA 3.32. Arcadia just rejected me because they said my GPA's were non-competitive! How could a 3.3 be noncompetitive if their website says the minimum GPA to apply is 3.0? I guess it just depends on the school and the applicant pool because I just got invited to interview for Pace University.

Pace Univ. gives a 4 hour group interview. I am not sure what to expect because all the email said was that 25 applicants are interviewed per group. Any pointers?

Jennifer28 in New Jersey said: According to CASPA my science GPA is 3.14 and cumulative GPA 3.32. Arcadia just rejected me because they said my GPA's were non-competitive! How could a 3.3 be noncompetitive if their website says the minimum GPA to apply is 3.0? I guess it just depends on the school and the applicant pool because I just got invited to interview for Pace University.

Pace Univ. gives a 4 hour group interview. I am not sure what to expect because all the email said was that 25 applicants are interviewed per group. Any pointers?

Hi Jennifer28, wow!! I am a Pre-PA student and I am soo afraid at how competitive these schools are in NJ/PA! My GPA is 3.3 too and did you have a lot of experience in the healthcare industry? How many hours did you have? They may considered that as well...but my email address is missnjit@yahoo.com if you want to contact me directly. I am alwasy looking out for PA students in NJ/PA.

Hi I'm a senior and I would love to get into PA school. My overall GPA is a 3.4 BUT my science GPA is a 2.92...I am currently doing an internship in which I am getting hours for PA school and will take a year off to get at least 1000 hours...I am afraid that I won't be accepted into any schools, I would like to go to school in Florida but if not I am willing to go to Georgia...Any pointers on schools that offer a M.S but is not as competitive? And any pointers on how to become more competitive?

Hi, I have a low GPA and I am a Bio major. I will be done with my B.S this December and really wish to get into any P.A program. I have a huge dental assistant background, but nothing from health care. I wonder if it's acceptable and any school that is a little less competitive to get in.

sprinkles in Navarre, Florida said: Arcadia just rejected me today due to a noncompetitive GPA and I have a 3.4. Best of luck to you guys though!

You're not the only one. How is a 3.4 non-competitive? I don't get it! Their minimum gpa to apply is 3.0. They just interviewed the top GPA's which is bull b/c there is more to an applicant than just grades!!

Shenae01 in Gainesville, Florida said: That is very disappointing :( I might be in the same position.

Hey I'm in gainesville too! Did you apply to UF? I don't feel like taking a year off to get hours(but I may have to if things don't work out : / ) so I didn't apply to uf. I'm interviewing at Nova Orlando on Monday--Where else did you apply? My GPAs are exactly like yours... Good luck!

Hey...do you go to UF?! I haven't applied anywhere yet because I'm taking a year off to get my hours and take a couple more advanced science classes to make myself more competitive ...a PAIN but I figure it's my best bet :/ wow! I really want to go to Nova in Orlando! and you got an interview! Congrats and Good Luck!

Was wondering if someone has this same issue. I've struggled with my weight all my life and the past couple years have been trying to get a handle on it because I feel like I will be looked over as a worthy applicant if I'm overweight. I was interviewed last year at 230lbs (although I felt I dressed well) however couldn't get away from the fact that I was the heaviest of all the interviewees there. I wasn't accepted (which made me wonder why...) however I actually got another interview in Jan 2010 at the same school which I was ecstatic about. Since last year I've lost about 17 pounds, not a lot but I'm afraid it will hurt my chances again. I've worked so hard all my life in school and work, and I'm afraid that even though I have the papers to prove it, they'll pass on me because of my weight. Anyone ever had experience with this? Anyone have words of encouragement? Thanks

Hi Crystal34,
Are you sure your weight is as much of an issue as you think it is? It sounds as though you are preoccupied with it, perhaps it is more of an issue to you then it is to them. I don't think your weight should be a factor as long as you are as confident and driven as the other students trying to get in. I wish you the best! Oh and congrats on losing 17 pounds! That's definitely an accomplishment!

sprinkles in Gainesville, Florida said: Hi Crystal34,
Are you sure your weight is as much of an issue as you think it is? It sounds as though you are preoccupied with it, perhaps it is more of an issue to you then it is to them. I don't think your weight should be a factor as long as you are as confident and driven as the other students trying to get in. I wish you the best! Oh and congrats on losing 17 pounds! That's definitely an accomplishment!

Thanks, yeah it's probably more of an issue to me, but this has been my dream for so long, and I worry about anything that can affect my chances. I appreciate your reply!

OMG! Congrats! there really is hope...did you get the hours that they wanted or did you just reply? I wanted to know if I could get your email address to possibly stay in contact...It would be awesome to have someone who accomplished what I am trying to accomplish! That is awesome! Congrats again

I can't find it also :(, if you want you can visit my website plaza.ufl.edu/shenae and if you scroll to the lower end of the webpage, you will see a link to my email address to the lower left and you can just email me there... Let me know if that works

I haven't applied to any yet and I probably won't until June 2011. But I am thinking of applying to Nova SouthEastern in Orlando,Florida. As for hours, I will begin my healthcare hours this January and by the end of the semester I should have approximately 300 hours after which I will try to get another 500-700 hours.

sprinkles in Gainesville, Florida said: Shenae! I just wanted to let you know that I've been accepted to Nova-Orlando!!! There is hope!!! : )

Spingkles - do you know when Nova will be finished contacting all the qualified applicants for an interfiew? I am wondering if i dont hear by now for an interview, then maybe its not going to happen this time around?

A lot of people don't realize that PA school is as competitive to get into as medical school. PA schools, especially in my area, get 1000s of applications for around 100 seats. The great majority of students that get accepted into med school have a 3.7 or above and all the students who couldn't get into med school apply for PA programs. Therefore the PA schools get a ton of applicants with the 3.6-3.7 gpa range and if your down by 3.0-3.3 you really don't have a chance. For those who have been rejected their shot at PA school, I would suggest trying an accelerated route nursing program. You'll most likely have all the pre reqs covered already and the program is only 1 year long.

I wouldn't give up if you have a 3.2 GPA. I was accepted in December and I have an overall GPA of around 3.3. I know it's a case by case kind of thing, but if you have experience, a strong GRE, a great interview, and you've taken a lot of advanced courses beyond the prereqs, I think you definitely have a chance!

Sean in Marlton, New Jersey said: A lot of people don't realize that PA school is as competitive to get into as medical school. PA schools, especially in my area, get 1000s of applications for around 100 seats. The great majority of students that get accepted into med school have a 3.7 or above and all the students who couldn't get into med school apply for PA programs. Therefore the PA schools get a ton of applicants with the 3.6-3.7 gpa range and if your down by 3.0-3.3 you really don't have a chance. For those who have been rejected their shot at PA school, I would suggest trying an accelerated route nursing program. You'll most likely have all the pre reqs covered already and the program is only 1 year long.

i'd like to disagree to one of your comments. not all people who apply to PA school are people who could not get into med school. believe it or not, many people who apply to PA school actually want to go to PA school and not med school. it might be a touchy subject for some, so i just wanted to clear that up. i also have a 3.0-3.3 gpa, and got into a well known california school. so, Kaleb48..i agree with accepted, rack up some hce hours, study for the GRE and you'll have a good shot! good luck!

vitD in San Jose, California said: i'd like to disagree to one of your comments. not all people who apply to PA school are people who could not get into med school. believe it or not, many people who apply to PA school actually want to go to PA school and not med school. it might be a touchy subject for some, so i just wanted to clear that up. i also have a 3.0-3.3 gpa, and got into a well known california school. so, Kaleb48..i agree with accepted, rack up some hce hours, study for the GRE and you'll have a good shot! good luck!

I agree with what you are saying, PA school is obviously not just for med school drop outs. However, many of the people that didn't get into med school pull for PA school in addition to all the students who had their hearts set on PA from the start. You can get into a PA school with a 3.0-3.3, there's no doubt in that, people have done it before you. With that being said though, the 3.3 gpa range is on the lower end of the spectrum and your GRE, experience hours, recommendations and interview really has to be the strength of your application.

Hey Scott--I just wanted to let you know I submitted Oct 2009 as well and I was contacted for an interview in November and accepted in December. Have you called and checked to see if they are missing anything? Good luck! Oh and also, my GPA is lower than yours...

I'm currently a second semester junior at Rutgers University. I've only recently discovered PA profession and have been set on this course. My GPA is a low at the moment. It's a 3.03. But I'm doing everything I can to raise it up by the time I graduate. I hope to graduate with a 3.3

I'm afraid that with my low GPA, i might not have a good chance of getting into a PA school. Can you please give me any advice so I can be a better candidate for the PA program? I already plan on volunteering at the ER as a scribe and I've been told that this counts at hours for patient-care experience. I also plan on taking a year off after graduation so I can work and gain more hours and experience. I currently have 2 jobs, one at a doctor's office and one at a biotech company. Will this give me an edge over other applicants because I do have experience and plan on getting more experience in health care?

I really hope to get into UMDNJ PA program but it's so competitive. I applied for the dual program but got rejected. I am going to apply with the larger pool. How does my chances look?

thanks for the advice. I didn't know that Caspa makes your grades lower. I got C on both orgo and a C in genetics. I asked the PA program at umdnj what I could do about these grades. They told me i could take a class which is similar to let's say genetics but is a higher level class. If I do well in that class it will show them that I can handle the world load. I've been thinking of taking genetic analysis senior year but I don't know what to do for orgo. Any advice??? I rather not take that class over again but may have to.

I wish you the best of luck in getting to PA school. Have you thought about taking some time off any gaining experience like they want?? Application process can be so stressful but don't give up. :)

If you re-take orgo you have to get an A orelse it will look really bad. You should take Biochemistry and try your best to get an A. Caspa calculates your gpa with all grades whether you repeated a class or not. This is my time off. I have about 1000 hours of healthcare experience. I used to work in a physical therapy office and I volunteered at a hospital. Now I work as a lab techinician and have been shadowing a PA since April 09. I already completed all the pre-requisites too. If I don't get off any of the waitlists im on by May I'll do EMT training. I don't know what else to do with myself lol

Can you get into Cornell PA program, Emory PA program, UTSW or any other PA schools with a GPA of 3.0 and science GPA of 3.0 with 3 years of health care experience as an RN on a surgical floor, ER, ICU, plus, i speak two languages, i am a member of a student senate government at my school, so, how good are my chances?

Sean in Marlton, New Jersey said: A lot of people don't realize that PA school is as competitive to get into as medical school. PA schools, especially in my area, get 1000s of applications for around 100 seats. The great majority of students that get accepted into med school have a 3.7 or above and all the students who couldn't get into med school apply for PA programs. Therefore the PA schools get a ton of applicants with the 3.6-3.7 gpa range and if your down by 3.0-3.3 you really don't have a chance. For those who have been rejected their shot at PA school, I would suggest trying an accelerated route nursing program. You'll most likely have all the pre reqs covered already and the program is only 1 year long.

that is so ture just to give you an example my friend just got a 30 on his mcat and has a 3.8 gpa and is planning on applying to a PA program because he dosnt want to leave his city but thats his stupidity but you are competing against people who did not get accepted in medical schools so 3.4 will not get you in a PA school and thats a fact unless you have a good clinical background or just did an excellent job on your interview...my advise would be study for the MCAT try to get a good score..because the MCAT score can back up your gpa very well.

Boy what we would do to go back 4 years and re-do undergrads :P This whole GPA thing is a load of bs honestly, it varies from school to school and alot of people can get away with getting 4.0's by just taking classes at a communitycollege as opposed to taking classes in a university which are always much much harder.